Hey there! MarsScienceLab is using Twitter.
Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Join today to start receiving MarsScienceLab's updates.
|
@Dadditude The RTG power source (and impact on lifespan) explained here: http://tinyurl.com/6jxlmj . |
@ryanrigdon With that power supply, my prime mission is two years (compared to 90-day prime missions for the two exploration rovers). |
My size, @RoyalJester79 ? Here's a family portrait: http://tinyurl.com/5v4ukt I'm the hefty one on the right, 5X heavier than last rover. |
@fox88 Silver lining is I'll benefit from lots of add'l testing before launch. That's good, since I hope for a long healthy life on Mars. |
@JohnnyMcNugget I'm bigger & more complex than Phoenix,a completely different design. Motors & few other parts need more testing to be safe. |
My team's worked 24/7, but a few components need more work and can't be adequately tested in time. Better to postpone and do full testing. |
My launch to Mars will miss the '09 date. Launch attempts come every 26 months (when Mars and Earth are close) so earliest is now 2011. |
Recent pics (3 rotating) from the cleanroom: http://tinyurl.com/6mbqqs I'm tucked inside the backshell and heatshield for a series of tests. |
Watch Thursday at noon ET for a news briefing update on my mission. Webcast at www.nasa.gov/ntv |
Landing site names (cont): Holden crater (American astronomer 1846-1914); and Mawrth is Welsh for Mars (and Tuesday, thx @lloyd_humph :) |
yes, @brookr. History of names (in 2 parts): Eberswalde crater (named for a town in Germany); Gale crater (Australian astronomer 1865-1945) |
I'll be going to one of these four finalist landing sites: Eberswalde, Holden, Gale and Mawrth. More (and a map) : http://tinyurl.com/677egp |
And I wouldn't mind hearing some name suggestions. An unofficial pool to guess what the official name selection might be. Hmm? |
If you don't qualify to submit a name in the official contest, you'll still be able to vote on the top 9 selections next Spring. |
I'm WAY cool, nearly built, and I need a name. A contest for kids to name me: http://is.gd/85rQ (lots of nice vids here, too. Click on *2*) |
Older »
